Job description
Join a team that makes a difference in the lives of children and teens in the US foster care system!
NAA is seeking a Community Engagement Implementation Manager to join its team!
Overview
The Community Engagement Implementation Manager will serve as a site lead, responsible for conducting behavioral health-focused community engagement assessments, interpreting clinical and system-level data, and delivering technical assistance (TA) to sites served by the National Center for Mental Health. Reporting to the National Director of Community Engagement, the Community Engagement Implementation Manager will represent the program by engaging with professionals, agencies, and other partners across states, territories, and tribal nations to improve mental health outcomes for children, youth, and families involved in child welfare.
About the National Adoption Association (NAA)
The National Adoption Association (NAA) is the national leader advancing best practices in adoption from foster care.
Our Philosophy
We believe that adoption is addition, not subtraction. We unite birth, kin, and adoptive families for the benefit of children and youth. Our approach honors cultural identity, familial connection, and youth voice—supporting healing, belonging, and stability for children in foster care.
Education and Experience Requirements
- Master’s degree in social work, psychology, public health, or related field; (will consider a bachelor’s degree with extensive professional experience)
- A minimum of 8 years of experience in targeted behavioral health or mental health outreach. A background in delivering technical assistance and change management strategies in public systems. Experience working in behavioral health in a community outreach role with children, youth, and families involved in child welfare or adoption systems is required. Experience working within the nonprofit or government sector, preferably experience in states, territories, or tribal nations’ child welfare is preferred.
- Demonstrated management-level experience is required with a minimum of 2 years of direct supervisory or consultant management experience.
- Experience using data analysis and reporting to inform community outreach methods.
- Licensed Clinician (behavioral health) or similar credentials is required.
- Lived experience in foster care or as an adoptee is required.
- Ability to travel approximately once per month for 2-3 days at a time.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of evidence-based practices in child, adolescent, and family mental health
- Understanding of trauma-informed care and its application in behavioral health systems
- Ability to assess mental health service systems and provide recommendations for improvement
- Familiarity with behavioral and mental health funding streams as they relate to community-based services
- Ability to confidently present information to diverse audiences, including professionals, stakeholders, and community members
- Strong organizational, prioritization, and multitasking skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite of products and familiarity with Google Suite
- Ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders
- Problem solving and decision-making skills
- Passion for child welfare and foster care/adoption with a commitment to NAA’s mission
- High level of integrity and ethical standards
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
- Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work environment
- Proficiency in data management
Role and Responsibilities
1. Project Management
- Serve as site lead for assigned states, territories, or tribes, implementing and overseeing community engagement technical assistance (TA) in alignment with program goals.
- Plan and coordinate site visits, meetings, and follow-up activities in collaboration with internal and external partners.
- Design, deliver, and evaluate TA services that are inclusive, culturally responsive, and aligned with best practices and organizational priorities.
- Provide regular updates to internal partners on site-specific TA progress, challenges, and milestones.
- Collaborate with colleagues to refine tools, reports, and materials that support effective project delivery.
- Track progress, monitor support needs, and ensure timely communication and reporting across teams and partners.
- Ensure compliance with grant requirements, including budgeting, deliverables, and reporting.
- Support project tracking and management in partnership with the National Director of Community Engagement and lead special projects as assigned.
2. Assessment
- Conduct community engagement assessments using a standardized tool customized for each site’s context and needs.
- Review briefing materials and data on DEI disparities in child welfare to inform assessment planning.
- Integrate lived expertise into assessment planning and data interpretation to ensure relevance and impact.
- Plan and lead interviews with child welfare and mental health stakeholders to identify service gaps and systemic barriers.
- Analyze site-level behavioral health structures and synthesize findings into data-driven reports and presentations.
- Present key findings and recommendations to internal teams and external partners; facilitate follow-up meetings to validate insights and refine action steps.
- Participate in collaborative problem-solving to address obstacles and improve engagement outcomes.
- Develop and update strategies to communicate assessment outcomes and engage stakeholders in data-informed improvements.
3. Technical Assistance Implementation
- Align TA delivery with current best practices in trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and adoption-competent mental health care.
- Coordinate and deliver tailored technical assistance (TA) in collaboration with site teams and internal staff, supporting implementation of approved TA initiatives.
- Participate in relevant meetings and initiatives, including efforts focused on peer/para-professional integration, fatherhood engagement, and cross-system collaboration.
- Provide culturally responsive TA that promotes equity, inclusion, and improved community engagement outcomes.
- Offer consultation to enhance collaboration between peer/paraprofessionals, clinicians, and system partners.
- Represent the organization in workshops, trainings, and public forums; prepare and present materials to diverse audiences.
4. Relationship Management
- Cultivate and sustain strong relationships with site contacts, including community members, youth and families, and system leaders.
- Act as a primary liaison for community insights, ensuring timely, professional, and culturally responsive communication with internal and external partners.
- Address concerns or complaints with professionalism and escalate when appropriate, maintaining composure and equity-driven practices in all interactions.
- Represent the Community Engagement Team with professionalism, cultural humility, and a commitment to equity-driven practices.
Additional Notes
Work is expected to be performed remotely with the requirement of travel once per month within the US to deliver Technical Assistance. NAA conducts background checks on all employees. Occasional overtime (evenings and weekends) may be required. This position is grant-funded. Please note, NAA is currently unable to do business in the State of California.
Benefits and Compensation:
The Community Engagement Implementation Manager salary range is $80,000 - $85,000, commensurate with experience. As a member of our team, you will not only receive a competitive salary and a generous benefits package including a gold health plan, dental & vision insurance (100% employer paid for employees!); employer retirement plan contribution; and professional development opportunities, among others. You will also enjoy your work - knowing you are a part of a dedicated group of professionals making an impact.
NAA is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.
How to Apply:
No phone calls please. Apply online at Community Engagement Implementation Manager with a cover letter and resume by June 13, 2025.
Please note - applications without cover letters will not be considered.
NAA Racial Equity Statement:
As leaders in child welfare, we recognize systemic racism creates disparities that negatively impact our staff as well as the children and families we serve. NAA is committed to listening, learning, and taking actions to advance racial equity by:
- Continually and intentionally recruiting, hiring, and supporting diverse staff, including consultants and vendors;
- Using a racial equity lens in all of our programmatic work;
- Evaluating our organizational policies and procedures to ensure that they are antiracist[1];
- Allowing staff to be their authentic selves.
[1] Anti-Racism is defined as the work of actively opposing racism by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life. Anti-racism tends to be an individualized approach and set up in opposition to individual racist behaviors and impacts. Source: ProInspire sourcedRace Reporting Guide by Race Forward_V1.1.pdf
